The Terrorist Next Door (26 page)

Chapter
69

“IT’S OVER”

Silver heard muffled voices as she thrashed against the tape binding her hands and covering her eyes and mouth. She tensed as she felt a comforting touch on her shoulder. Then she heard Gold’s voice.

“It’s okay, Lori,” he said softly as he carefully pulled the tape from her mouth and removed the detonator from the vest. “It’s over.”

“Where’s Jenny?” she shouted, her eyes still covered.

“She’s fine. She was asleep in her room. We took her to Comer for observation. Your sister is with her. Vanessa’s fine, too.”

Thank goodness
. “Does Danny know about this?”

“Yes. We reached him in Korea. He’ll be home in a couple of days.”

Silver pushed out a deep breath as Gold unwound the tape covering her eyes. He cautiously removed the vest and handed it to Rowan, who quickly took it outside. Silver buried her face in Gold’s chest and sobbed. She struggled to regain her composure when she saw Battle and Fong come in with a team of EMTs.

“You okay?” Gold whispered.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sorry I tackled you so hard.” Gold explained the need to get her away from the tub of gasoline as quickly as possible. “You might have a concussion.”

“I’m fine,” Silver repeated. She was pulling the remnants of tape from her face and her hair when she noticed that Gold’s left arm hung limply at his side. “Did you hurt your shoulder again?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re as stubborn as I am. You need to get it checked out.”

“I will.”

Silver looked around the smoke-filled basement. “Is he here?”

“No. He was in a building around the corner. He was talking to us through a radio.”

“Just one guy?”

“Yes.”

“Wow. Is he . . . dead?”

“Yes.”

Good
. “Al-Qaeda?”

“No.”

“Muslim?”

“No.”

“Who trained him?”

“We did. He was a U.S. Marine with a drawer full of medals. His name was Michael Janikowski. He spent four years dismantling bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. He came back angry. He thought we were unprepared for another terrorist attack-especially from somebody in the U.S.”

“Helluva way to make a point.”

“Tell me about it. He also had issues with the Muslims who’ve moved into Polish Town. He thought they were taking away jobs from ‘real’ Americans.”

“They’re Americans, too.”

“I know. He was upset about the plans for a new mosque. It’s supposed to be built near the site of his father’s old business.”

“That’s what set him off? He killed all those people to make the Muslim community look bad so they wouldn’t be able to build a mosque?”

“So it seems. We’ll probably never know the full story.”

Silver’s eyes adjusted to the light. “Where are we?”

“The basement of Bikur Cholim.”

“Why did he take me here?”

Gold shrugged. “If you want to make the Muslim community look bad, maybe you try to make it look like they blew up the oldest synagogue in Chicago.”

“It isn’t even a synagogue anymore. What did we do to him?”

“Nothing. He’s been working on this for a while. He started buying throwaway cell phones at least six months ago. The Al-Shahid case provided a convenient opportunity to make a statement. We were in the middle of the investigation, so we probably became convenient targets.”

“Did he know Al-Shahid?”

“I don’t know.”

“And all the evidence against Al-Shahid’s brother, his imam, his advisor, and the guy at the Shrine of Heaven?”

“We think he planted all of it.” Gold told her about the tracking devices and the surveillance cameras. “He learned how to improvise in Afghanistan. He’s had us chasing our tails. He was a very smart guy.”

“And a very angry guy. He probably had some form of post-traumatic stress.”

“Probably.”

Silver tried to get her bearings. “How did you find me here?”

“He told us where to find you.” Gold pointed at the picture of the menorah on the wall. “He sent us a photo of you from your cell phone. He probably figured I’d recognize the painting. And we were able to track your location from the
GPS on your phone.”

“So he was after you, too.”

“Yes. He was going to burn down the building—with us inside.”

“But he was already gone by the time you got here.”

“Yes.”

Silver felt tears welling in her eyes. “So you could have gotten out.”

“I wasn’t going anywhere without you.”

Silver felt a lump in her throat. “How did you find him?”

Gold pointed at Fong. “There was a BlackBerry inside Janikowski’s pocket. George and his people traced it.”

“But they turned off access to all the cell phones.”

“Not for law enforcement.”

“Was it my phone?”

“No.” Gold swallowed hard. “It was DeShawn’s.”

Silver let the answer sink in. “Does that mean?”

Gold nodded. “Shot in the head outside your house.”

“I’m so sorry, Dave.”

“Me, too.”

“Why didn’t he turn off DeShawn’s phone?”

“He did, but it came back on a few minutes ago. We don’t know how or why. It may have been an accident. He might have leaned against something or sat on it.”

“You’re saying we got lucky?”

“Yes.”

Silver rubbed her wrists. “If you were here, and he was around the corner, how did you shoot him?”

“I didn’t.” Gold nodded to Fong. “George did.” He took her hand. “George saved your life, Lori. And mine.”

* * *

“How’s Lori?” Battle asked. It was three hours later.

“Fine,” Gold said. “So are Jenny and Vanessa.”

“Good.” Battle looked at the sling on Gold’s left shoulder. “Another separation?”

“Not as bad as the last one. I’m going back on the DL for another month.”

At three-thirty on Wednesday morning, they were sitting in the uncomfortable plastic chairs in the waiting area down the hall from Silver’s room on the third floor of the Bernard A. Mitchell Hospital on the U. of C. campus. The flat screen TV was tuned to WGN, where Mojo was interviewing Maloney at police headquarters.

“Did you talk to Father Stash?” Battle asked.

“Yes. I thanked him for his help. He’s taking Janikowski’s death pretty hard. He’d known Janikowski since he was a baby.”

“We had to take him out, Dave. It was a live detonator.”

“I know. I’m not questioning you. I’m very grateful that you got him.”

“I was standing next to Fong when he fired. I didn’t mention it to the press, but I shot him, too. I’m not planning to lose any sleep over it tonight.”

“Neither am I.” Gold had suspected as much. “It isn’t going to make it any easier on Father Stash—or Janikowski’s mother.”

“Or all the other people who died,” Battle added.

“True.” Gold was exhausted. “Have they set a time for DeShawn’s funeral?”

“Ten o’clock on Saturday morning at Holy Name. Full honors. I’ll drive.”

“Thanks.”

Battle took a final gulp of cold coffee and set the empty cup on the table. “For the record, you were lucky you weren’t killed. Frankly, you should have been killed.”

I know
. “I wasn’t leaving Lori. I knew you’d find him.”

“I’ve never lost a partner, and I don’t plan to ruin my perfect record now.” Battle winked. “If you try anything like this again, I’ll kill you myself.”

“Got it.” Gold tugged at his collar. “I’ll understand if you want to find a new partner.”

“I’ll be waiting for you when you’re ready to go.” The big detective’s face transformed into a wide smile. “That’s the way we do things in South Chicago.”

Gold stood up. “You and Estelle want to come over for dinner tonight? I promised my dad smoked shrimp from Cal Fish.”

Battle smiled. “It’s a date.”

“A.C.?”

“Yes, Dave?”

“Thanks.”

Chapter
70

“BEING CYNICAL IS THE EASY WAY OUT”

Gold tapped lightly on the open door. “You up for visitors?”

Silver absent-mindedly brushed the hair from her eyes. “Do you ever sleep?”

“It’s overrated.”

“I look like hell.”

“You look beautiful.” Gold hesitated. “I can come back later if you’re tired. You want me to go?”

“I want you to stay.”

Good
.

Silver sat up in bed as Gold came into her room on the third floor of Mitchell Hospital at eight-thirty on Wednesday morning. The lights were off, but sunlight poured through the windows.

Gold pointed at the TV. Mojo was broadcasting from in front of Bikur Cholim. “She doesn’t sleep, either.”

“Guess not. The doctor said I can go home as soon as they finish the paperwork.”

“Perfect.” Gold inhaled the sweet aroma from three large floral arrangements on the windowsill. He walked forward and kissed Silver on the forehead. “Some people would like to see you if you’re up for it. You realize, of course, that it’s against regulations.”

“You have to break a few rules every once in a while.”

Gold gestured toward the door, and a smiling Jenny came bounding in, clutching a new teddy bear. Vanessa was behind her, followed by a slow-moving Harry, who navigated his walker with assistance from Lucia. Battle brought up the rear.

“Mommy!” Jenny shrieked.

Gold put a finger to his lips. “Remember what we discussed. You need to keep it down so you won’t disturb the other patients. You can give Mommy a hug, but you have to be gentle.”

Silver fought back tears as Jenny climbed into her arms.

Jenny’s eyes lit up. “Guess what? Dave and A.C. drove me here in a police car. They didn’t use the siren, but they let me turn on the lights.”

“Cool,” Silver said, her voice cracking. She turned and spoke to her babysitter. “I heard you had a rough night. I hope you aren’t going to quit.”

“Not a chance.”

“Good.” Silver looked at Harry, who had taken a seat in a chair beneath the TV. “It was nice of you to come.”

“I wanted to make sure my son is treating you right.”

“He’s treating me great. How are you getting along?”

“I had a better night than you did.”

Silver turned serious. “I’m sorry about your Mustang, Harry.”

“It was just a car, Lori.”

“You’re a gem.”

“And you’re a honey. Lil would have liked you.” He nodded to Gold. “We brought you something.”

Gold stepped outside for a moment, and returned with a long flower box, which he set down on the bed next to Silver. He winked at Jenny and said, “You can help Mommy.”

Jenny removed the pink ribbon and opened the lid. Her delicate features transformed into a perplexed expression. “Why did you get Mommy a baseball bat?”

Harry answered her. “We thought she might find it useful.
It’s signed by Luis Aparicio. I saw him play shortstop for the Sox in the 1959 World Series. He’s in the Hall of Fame.”

Jenny darted a look at her mother. “But Mommy is a Cubs fan.”

Silver finally interjected. “Even Cubs fans liked Luis.”

Gold patted Jenny on the shoulder. “I have a friend at the station with seats behind the Sox dugout. How about you, me, Vanessa, Harry, A.C., and Lucia go to a game together? I’ll buy you a hot dog, peanuts, and ice cream, and I’ll show you some real baseball. I know a guy who can take you down to the clubhouse to meet the players. If you ask your mom nicely, maybe you can convince her to come with us.”

Jenny’s eyes lit up. “Can we, Mommy?”

“Sure, honey.”

Jenny’s face broke into a glowing six year-old smile. “Thanks, Dave.” She looked down at the empty box on the floor. “What happened to the flowers?”

Gold pointed at a second box outside the door. “We brought some of those, too.”

* * *

“How you feeling?” Gold asked.

Silver forced a weak smile. “Fine, Dave.”

“Fine as in ‘I’m okay,’ or ‘I feel like hell, but I’m dealing with it’?”

“Fine as I can be after being tased, kidnapped, tied up, and almost burned to a crisp. Then a crazy Area 2 detective channeled his inner Dick Butkus and dropped me with a flying tackle.”

“We call that good police work. Besides, I’m the one with the separated shoulder.”

“All in the line of duty.”

They were by themselves in Silver’s room. She’d changed into maroon U. of C. sweats. Lucia had driven Harry home.
Vanessa and Battle had taken Jenny to the cafeteria.

Gold lowered his voice. “Tell me how you’re really feeling.”

“I have a little headache. That’s it.”

Relief.

Silver flashed a knowing smile. “It was sweet of your dad to give me his bat.”

“We thought you could use a little protection. You’re coming to the Sox game with us, right?”

“Of course, but I’m not switching teams. My great-grandfather lost a ton of money on the 1919 World Series. He swore that no member of his family would ever be a Sox fan.”

“Then I’ll work on Jenny. It isn’t too late for her.” Gold turned serious. “She seems okay considering everything that happened last night.”

Silver fought to maintain her composure before she leaned into Gold and burst into tears. “I almost lost her.”

“I almost lost both of you.” Gold held her tightly as she sobbed. He gently stroked her hair and wiped the tears from her face. “Everything’s okay.”

She struggled to catch her breath. “Everything is not okay, Dave. My baby was terrified. Vanessa was tased. DeShawn is dead. So is Paulie. And Christina Ramirez. And the caretaker at the church. And the people at the museum. And on Rush Street. And at Metra station. And at O’Hare. And for what? Because a crazy guy came home angry and wanted to stop some people from building a mosque in his neighborhood.”

Gold had no good answer. “We stopped Janikowski. You’ll get the death penalty for Al-Shahid. That’s something.”

“It won’t bring anybody back. Think of all the funerals this week. Think of Katie Liszewski and her kids.”

Gold took her hand. They held each other in silence for a moment. Finally, he pointed at a vase containing a bouquet of
summer tulips. “Who sent them?”

“Danny’s name is on the card, but it must have come from his secretary.”

Gold was sorry he’d asked. “At least somebody was thinking about you.” He pointed at the second floral arrangement. “And those?”

“Fong.” Silver gave him a thoughtful look. “He isn’t a bad guy.”

“I know. We had a long talk last night. I’ve decided he’s a good guy who’s having a tough time, too.”

“No hard feelings about Paulie?”

“A few.”

“You’re evolving, Dave.”

“I’m trying.” Gold pointed a the largest and most elaborate bouquet. “Who sent those?”

“Earl the Pearl.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep. He isn’t evil. He’s just on the other side.”

“The wrong side.”

“The system needs people like him.”

“I suppose.”

Silver arched an eyebrow. “Maybe it is better that you decided to become a cop.”

“Maybe he ought to have his client plead guilty to first-degree murder.”

“Not gonna happen, Dave. Besides, it’s a conversation for another day. For now, I was able to persuade him to delay Al-Shahid’s preliminary hearing for a couple of weeks. It’ll give us a chance to take a few days off. You got time to take a ride to Wisconsin this weekend?”

I’d love to
. “I’m sorry Lori. I have to take my dad to Christina’s funeral on Friday. Then I have to go to DeShawn’s funeral on Saturday. Can I have a rain check for a week or two?”

“Of course.”

Good
. “You and Jenny want to come over tonight? Vanessa can come, too. A.C. and Estelle will be there. I promised my dad shrimp from Cal Fish.”

“We’d love to.” Silver gave Gold a thoughtful look. “How do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Avoid becoming cynical. Lord knows you’re entitled. Your wife and daughter died. Your partner was killed. You almost got yourself killed chasing a terrorist. Chicago PD has been jerking you around for years. You take care of your dad without complaining. Why don’t you move to Wilmette and get a cushy job writing parking tickets?”

“Being cynical is the easy way out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Anybody can deal with the good stuff. You get measured by how you deal with crap. Some people get mad. Others try to ignore it. My brother hides in Lake Forest. Me, I attack it head-on.”

“Like your dad.”

“I guess.”

“He and your mom didn’t bail to the suburbs when the neighborhood changed.”

“He’s a stubborn old cuss. So was my mom.”

“And so is their son. I like him that way.” Silver held up a hand. “How do you deal with your father?”

“He didn’t have a stroke just to make my life harder. It isn’t easy living with him, but it’s a lot easier than being him. Fortunately, my brother can afford to pay for lots of help, and Lucia is great. My dad could have packed it in after my mom died or after his stroke, but he didn’t. He doesn’t complain too much. He gets up every day and tries to do something productive—even if it’s just walking over to Bessemer Park or sending pictures to his grandkids on Facebook. I give him credit for trying.”

“Like you.”

“I guess.”

Silver gave him a knowing smile. “I guess that’s why I love you, Dave.”

A feeling of warmth rushed through Gold’s body.

“What?” Silver said.

Gold reached over and stroked her cheek. “I waited a long time to hear you say that.”

“I never make anything easy. I hope it was worth the wait.”

“It was.”

Silver’s lips formed a cautious smile. “And?”

Gold leaned over and kissed her. “I guess that’s why I love you, too, Lori.”

THE END